Hi there. Welcome to KCI. My name is Carol. I used meth for 27 years, and I have been clean for 8 years. Every meth addict is different. It would depend on how long they were using meth, and how much meth they were using.

I myself was put on many prescription meds for my depression after I quit using the meth. I believe that they were helpful to me in the beginning, but quickly became a crutch to me after that. There is no set medication for people getting off of meth. The physical withdrawals are minimal, but the emotional withdrawals are huge.

I myself believe that you should try to quit without taking ANY prescription medications at all. It takes months for the meth to completely leave your system, and I believe that you should let your body find its NEW normal first. After a few months go by, and if the depression is great, then treat the symptoms as they arise. Carol

In reality, it only
takes a few days for meth to leave a person’s system.Usually, after three days it can’t be
detected in a routine Urine test.

......It is true that meth leaves your system relatively quickly, as you can pass a drug test days later. I do believe that some people can bounce back on there own, so I believe in giving our bodies a chance to adjust to not doing meth on its own. If after a few months, as in my case where I was depressed and sleeping 18 hours a day, then you may want to see a doctor about the depression. Carol

I was lucky enough to have a sharp doctor, who prescribed me medication called Nuvigil, which helps me stay awake working graveyard shift. It has given me enough alertness that I have gone six years without illegal stimulants and anything that helps you stay clean is a blessing, not a bad thing. Nuvigil is a controlled substance but it is not what I could honestly call "addictive"...it costs an arm and a leg though, so I use it sparingly.

I also "abuse" caffeine heavily and drink some energy formulas from the convenience store despite them being kind of an overpriced joke.

I feel that seeking to become more awake and stimulated is normal and when it can be done legally without the negative mental health impact of meth or coke, I say that's fantastic. I'm not ashamed of using the meds I have been prescribed and I am clean from speed for six years, so what's not to like?

Some hardcore NA/AA people bash one taking any prescribed "drugs" as being just as objectionable as drinking or getting high on street drugs - I think that's a bunch of crazy damned bullshitt...and I'd probably be more than happy to tell any of those usually cranky, bitching morons who try making people feel guilty for taking their medication exactly what I think of their braindead and possibly destructive "advice" and about how they try and hold us back from a likely more satisfying life - made liveable by the antidepressants or other psychoactive medications we are legally prescribed. Then you see them outside the meeting with their nicotine-addict butts lighting up cigarettes. Braindead hypocrites, that's for sure.

.....I have been on more then my share of prescription drugs in the past 8 years that I have been clean. Just a little over a year ago I was taking 14 pills a day. I have been on all of the antidepressant, antianxiety, bipolar, parkinson's drugs, and tons of stimulents like Adderall and Vyvanse to keep me awake.

....A year ago against my doctors orders I quit taking ALL of them because I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. I have no doubt that they were necessary for me for the first couple of years, but after that I believe that they did me more damage then good. Most of them have many possible major side effects, and they lose their effectiveness over time. I have been off of ALL of them for a year now, and I am feeling better then I have in decades. I am all for prescription meds when they are needed, and that is something that only you and your doctor can decide. Carol

If the depression is serious no reason to wait a year....Most treatment providers are going to screen for co-occurring disorders and address them concurrently with the addiction treatment. Even if that means meds.

ive read where it helps some folks with things. for me it may of helped to see a dr sooner than the year or so of putting it off after cleaning up.my recovery meant getting well so off to the dr. the dr said at least for me that it was like someone threw water on a bunch of wires and shorted something out and the meds helped give time to repair . though i was still trippin on stuff a year after not usng

I was on psych meds a decade before I started using anything. So in my case it's a pre-existing condition, a clear cut co-occuring disorder. As soon as I'd fall back off the wagon I'd take myself off of my prescribed meds. As soon as I stopped for a while I'd call and get back into see my treatment team. All of the places I go to receive psych and medical treatment know my history. The most profound change is that I take a non-addictive anti-anxiety med instead of something like Klonipin. I tell the doctors that I don't do well with taking meds "as needed". I prefer to take the ones that say once or twice a day. I don't want to reinforce the idea of popping a pill to make a bad feeling go away.

I assume that if someone doesn't have a pre-existing history of being diagnoised as whatever psych disorder that many psychatrists like to wait until the patient has had some clean time to diagnois them. Some doctors apparently prescibe something earlier on than others.

I think the key is being honest with your treatment team and let them decide once they have all of the information.

Niner~ Much respect for being clean for so long! I myself am NOT an addict!!! I am a victim (as well as my/our children) of an addicts fall out. I love my fiancee with all my heart and with all the policitcal bull poo I was put through because of his relape, I have a need to learn more and be come involved with this topic.

On your statement, I MUST DISAGREE! "just quit"..... If it were that easy for everyone then there would be no need for all these programs, discussions, the facilities and money saved from incarcerations. I have been doing the research, a lot of "speed" addicts are 9/10 untreated ADHD/Depression. So I think that if properly treated then it would certainly reduced the chances of relapes. It's like saying a diabetic can "will" it away! IT WON'T HAPPEN! Just saying... Not all people should be medicated NO, they should feel the "physical" pains maybe?? I don't know I am new with the journey of info. But if it is a diagnois as so many people are trying to "self medicate" than I think responisble medication monortering is OK.. AFTER the intial "coming down" period and a doctor can get a good/proper diagnosis. I do believe with your statement that you do somewhat agree or I agree with your statement but "just quit" isn't that cut and dry!

nineyearscleanJust quit - and go through everything that quitting entails. If you still need help with depression or other mental issues after a year, seek treatment.